Brand Name

Cipralex {H Lundbeck A/S}

Generic Name

escitalopram, pronounced ES sye TAL oh pram

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Cipralex?

Cipralex is an antidepressant that is prescribed to help treat major depression and anxiety in adults and children who are 12 years of age and older. Cipralex is in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and it works by helping the balance of chemicals in the brain that may cause depression or anxiety.

Cipralex may also be used for purposes that are not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Cipralex

Cipralex is in an antidepressant in a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Cipralex helps people with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder by affecting the chemicals in the brain that are imbalanced. The chemical imbalance is believed to cause both depression and anxiety.

You should not take Cipralex if you are currently taking thioridazine (Mellaril), or an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You could suffer from a dangerous drug interaction if you take any of the above medications along with Cipralex. You should wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before starting treatment with Cipralex.

When you first start taking Cipralex you may have thoughts about suicide, especially if you are younger than 24 years of age. You must tell your doctor if you have these thoughts, and be sure to keep regular appointments with your physician, particularly for the first 3 months of treatment with Cipralex.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Cipralex is in FDA pregnancy category C. Cipralex can cause serious heart and lung defects for your baby if you take this medication during pregnancy. You should not breast-feed while taking Cipralex as it is known that Cipralex can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

If you have any new or worsening symptoms, like mood changes, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, impulsiveness, irritability, aggression, hyperactivity, or thoughts of suicide or harming yourself tell your doctor immediately.

You should not give Cipralex to children under the age of 12.

Before You Take Cipralex

If you are allergic to escitalopram, you should not take Cipralex.

You should not take tryptophan while you are taking Cipralex.

Tell your doctor if you are currently taking an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You will need to wait at least 14 days after stopping your MAO inhibitor before you can take Cipralex.

Tell your doctor before starting Cipralex if you have liver or kidney disease.

Let your doctor know if you take any other antidepressants like Celexa, Cymbalta, Desyrel, Effexor, Luvox, Oleptro, Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax, Paxil, Pexeva, Viibryd, or Zoloft before starting Cipralex.

You should inform your doctor if you have previously been diagnosed as manic depressive, bipolar, or if you have had a history of suicidal thoughts or drug abuse.

If you have seizures or epilepsy you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Cipralex.

Tell your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder before you take Cipralex.

You should be aware that drinking alcohol may increase the effects of Cipralex, so you should not drink while taking this medication.

Cipralex may impair your thinking and reaction time. Be careful when driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert, especially when you first start taking Cipralex.

Cipralex Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• almotriptan (Axert)
• antidepressants like desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil), mitriptylline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin) and others
• aspirin
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol)
• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• cold or allergy medications, over the counter
• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze)
• etodolac (Lodine)
• frovatriptan (Frova)
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• muscle relaxers
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• naratriptan (Amerge)
• piroxicam (Feldene)
• rizatriptan (Maxalt)
• St. John’s wort
• sumatriptan (Imitrex)
• tramadol (Ultram)
• tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan)
• valium or sleeping pills
• warfarin (Coumadin)
• zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Cipralex. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Cipralex

You should take Cipralex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Cipralex in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You should take Cipralex at the same time every day.

Cipralex may be taken with or without food.

It may take at least 4 weeks or longer before your symptoms improve while you are taking Cipralex. Continue using Cipralex as your doctor has directed you to do so. Do not stop using Cipralex without consulting your doctor, as you may experience adverse side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.

Cipralex needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Cipralex you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Cipralex Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Cipralex and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• aggressive, agitated or hostile behavior
• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• anxiety or panic attacks
• depression that has increased
• diarrhea
• difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• faint feeling
• fever
• hallucinations
• headaches
• increased heart rate
• insomnia or trouble sleeping
• loss of coordination
• nausea
• overactive reflexes
• restlessness or hyperactivity
• seizures
• skin rash
• stiff or rigid muscles
• suicidal thoughts or thought about hurting yourself
• tremors
• trouble breathing or shallow breath
• unsteady feeling
• vomiting

Less serious side effects of Cipralex may include:

• constipation
• decreased libido
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• gas
• heartburn
• impotence
• insomnia
• loss of appetite
• mild nausea
• ringing in your ears
• tired feeling
• upset stomach
• weight changes
• yawning

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Cipralex. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Cipralex Description and Dosing

Cipralex tablets are available as 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg film-coated tablets. The 5 mg tablets are round, white, biconvex film-coated and marked with “EK” on one side. The 10 mg tablets are oval, white, film-coated and are scored and marked with “E” and “L” on each side of the score, on one side of the tablet. The 15 mg tablets are oval, white, and film-coated and are scored and marked with “E” and “M” on each side of the score, and on one side of the tablet. The 20 mg tablets are oval, white, and film-coated and are scored and marked with “E” and “N” on each side of the score, and on one side of the tablet.

The dose of Cipralex is based on each individual. Your doctor will tell you what dose of Cipralex is right for you and will treat your condition effectively. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Cipralex you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Cipralex

The main active ingredient in Cipralex is escitalopram. Inactive ingredients in Cipralex tablets microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal anhydrous silica, talc, croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate. The tablet coating also contains hypromellose, macrogol 400 and titanium dioxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.